User reviews

'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the 2021 Hallmark films seen with mixed expectations. This year saw a number of beautiful and exotic locations with Hallmark (including Hawaii and Paris), and it doesn't become more exotic than the Mediterranean. That there would be the male lead doing a dual role (not seen a lot with Hallmark these days) also interested. Am really not a fan however of Jessica Lowndes, with a couple of exceptions but she has often come over as quite limited and most of her films don't do much for me.

2021's 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the few films of hers that did impress me, though more for most of everything else than her. It is up there with one of the better 2021 Hallmark films, which have been a bit of a mixed bag but not too bad considering these tumultuous times. Of the Love Ever After films of the year, 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the best and by quite some way. While not loving the film, it was pretty enjoyable.

Was not too enamoured by Lowndes, she could have had a lot more fun and the character needed more charm than what she gave. Her attempts at flirtation too are pretty awkward.

Some of the story could have had more clarity and subtlety, will agree regarding the reason for Meg to get that close and will agree too that she was too oblivious to something that was blatantly obvious. The ending felt too easy and too quick, and there is no surprise what it would be.

On the other hand, a lot is good. The production values are terrific, a vast majority of 2021 Hallmark films have been remarkably well made visually and 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is one of the most beautiful looking. How could it not be with a setting as incredible as the Mediterranean'. The music is not overpowering or overused and the direction is indicative of someone that was at ease with the material and was having fun with it.

The script has plenty of very amusing moments, while any tender moments are not too sentimental. The story goes at a tight pace and is charming and upbeat, the content that could easily have been stereotypical or judgemental was done very tastefully and contrary to what has been said by others regarding Hallmark including more diversity the diversity was more than welcome. The supporting cast are solid, but the best thing about the film is Jeremy Jordan. Who is truly excellent in one of the most difficult roles of the 2021 Hallmark batch (playing two completely contrasting characters rather than one) and one of the standout performances of the batch too. He is clearly having fun, but he does so without mugging, overdoing any mannerisms that would have made the character in question too much of a stereotype and brings nuanced heart to both characters (doing the seeming impossible at making a jerk endearing by the end).

Summing up, not everything works but much of it does and the film is worth seeing for primarily Jordan. 7/10.

We've seen stories where twins confuse their opposite(s) by switching. We've seen contest stories. We've see the child who isn't appreciated by her parent(s). We've seen the character who wants to make it on her own. Two things are slightly different. First, the female lead things she is becoming friends with the gay brother who has a husband. Second, the big city doesn't turn out to be evil when compared to a small town.

The biggest thing that didn't make sense to me was why Meg was getting so close to the gay brother and it should have been obvious to her that he wanted to be more than friends. Even so, Jennifer Lowndes and Jeremy Jordan had chemistry, but again, it sure seemed like hetro chemistry to me.

The climax and ending were mostly predictable. The story had no real highs or lows or surprises.

Despite my complaints, I thought there were some funny moments and some sweet ones.

I didn't care too much for this, just wasn't very interesting, but I had to ask - Did they finally get new management at Hallmark Channel? Nevermind the attempt at representation, they switched up the trope. Instead of working for the evil corporation and moving back to the small town they left because they couldn't make a living there in the first place, this guy has regrets about not going for it and decides to finally move away from the small town to start a new life. And then at the end of the movie...gasp...there is a real kiss that lasts longer than two seconds. And in this movie it actually makes sense in the story that they wouldn't kiss until the end. Just wow.

I had to laugh at some of the comments on here about her hair. 😅I don't usually comment on such things, but I've been saying that same thing about the women in my office building for a very long time now. It seems no one under 35 has heard of a salon. Rapunzel hair doesn't actually look good in real life, just lazy and unprofessional. Just cut it, what diff does extra length make if you keep it straight and away from your face, or worse, in a ponytail or granny bun? But I guess that's the issue, they don't want to pay for a cut or take care of their hair. At least Jessica's was styled nicely.

Love Jeremy Jordan. Jessica Lowndes needs a haircut, seriously, that long hair is so unappealing for her age and her face-shape (and stop pulling her hair off her face, it just highlights the gaukiness). Their chemistry was okay, but I just couldn't get past the full-facial scenes, close-ups, not attractive filming. The storyline was refreshing and the LGBT storyline was tastefully written (while a bit stereotypical). Would like to see more of Lowndes (but less of her thin face). Jordan showcased his acting talent in this one .. great job.

6/10 - the huge step for Hallmark in the inclusion of the first gay main character and beautiful sets are wasted on this been-there-seen-that plot

The storyline is even more beautiful than the scenery. I didn't expect to like this film as much as I did and this is mainly due to the acting. It's not often people have to pull a Linsey Lohan but Jeremy Jordan pulls it off amazingly and is largely the reason the film is so good. He switches between a gay celebrity chef and hometown cook seamlessly and even when in the other's clothes you can tell who is who.

Jessica Lowndes is one of my least favorite actors, but I thought I'd give the movie a try anyway. The guy playing the twins did a great job, and the LGBT part was handled nicely. Unfortunately the plot was too predictable with the twins, and then also with the contest. The French accents (especially by the French man) were terrible!! Do yourself a favor and find a different Hallmark movie to watch. PS ~ Hallmark needs to find a stylist to do something with Jessica Lowndes way too long and way too dark hair. It looked atrocious!!!

OK - so let me say right away ... I do not care for Jessica Lowndes. She can't act her way out of a paper bag.

I set my DVR for this one - fully expecting to delete it after 15 minutes. Well ... it didn't happen. I put off watching it for several days - and finally watched it tonight for lack of anything better to do. I actually liked the story. It had comedic moments. It had great family moments. The LGBT aspect was not overdone (and I don't have a problem with gay people - several family members are gay). It just wasn't a focal point of the story. Henry was simply a sous chef married to Julian. They did not focus on the LGBT story.

Don't get me wrong - Jessica Lowndes is still a mediocre actor - but she was actually OK in this role. Not over the top - but the story really about her (even though there was her family turmoil incorporated into the plot). The star of the movie was Josh and Julian (played by Jeremy Jordan). Hope Hallmark uses him more - this is his second Hallmark movie (Holly and Ivy being his first) and he was great in both.

Not a movie I will watch over and over - but it was a fun watch.

I like it very much. And it is normal, for the mix of Alaska, gay spice, admirable work of Jeremy Jordan and the effort of Jeniffer Lowndes and the location and the tension about revelation of true identities .

Sure, only few new good things and a lot of cliches, the too rapid and too predictable end ( you expect be little different, for a drop of fresh air ) and the big town as option , as nice inovation in classic Hallmark recipe.

I am far be seduce by the option for Jennifer Lowndes for meg and the final part seems very forced , by appreciate the game between Josh and Meg, not ignoring the premises of this impossible romance.

In final, the big, beautiful good point remains the acting of Jeremy Jordan and his game with cliches for the fair portrait of julian. The gay couple relation, reflected in reasonable manner, is another good point, like the work of Stephen Oliver and Callum Blue.

In short, just pleasant.

This was a sweet entry in the hallmark movie romances with a beautiful backdrop of a "palace" and hotel in Malta where a cooking competition takes place. The stars are Jessica Lowndes, from 90210, and Jeremy Jordan, who plays Alaska born twins Josh and Julian Northrop. Julian Northrop and his husband, Henri, have a five star New York restaurant that is struggling since their latest remodel and they need the prestige and prize money from the prestigious culinary competition in Malta. To support his brother, his twin Josh comes to Malta...which is where the accidental twin switch occurs. Before registration, Julian throws out his back and to help out... Josh volunteers to pretend to be Julian just to sign in. Unbeknownst to them, Josh gets a wrist tracking device at the registration that can't be removed until after the competition or they forfeit. Thus creating the need for Josh to do the competition for Julian. Problem...Josh is falling for Meg the event coordinator...and Meg doesn't like men who lie.

I loved that the rich girl's favorite food is a cheese burger and the average joe's favorite is baked Alaska.

The developing friendship and desire to help one another really made this a sweet and watchable romance.

I love the look and name of the new restaurant and having the truffle burger named for Meg is a very nice touch.

Nice scenery with predictable ending. Leading lady's eye makeup was overdone and drop that red lipstick! Enjoyed the scenery which added to the appeal. Story was so-so.

Typical Hallmark Movie which is what I love. The scenery is worth the watch.

DVRed it watched first 30 minutes and then deleted it horrible story

Great storyline, really nice idea, beautiful photography but the whole thing is pulled down by poor scripting and stilted acting. Could have been amazing but still fun and great.

Another wasted Hallmark movie introducing alternative lifestyles! If I wished to view such things there are existing means to do so without pushing onto the unsuspecting public.

It was funny and had a good cast. Loved the location and story line. Better than a lot of other movies from that channel. I recommend it.

Hallmark has really hit the tank. Every movie is off, just off. What went wrong? Maybe amateurs at the helm, or maybe works or some other idiots. They need to wake up before it all tanks.

I knew going into this movie there were going to be scenes between a gay couple, but it looked so funny and I like both of actors who portray the main characters, I thought I would give a chance. The gay couple scenes were very tasteful. The movie was very entertaining. Jeremy Jordan did an amazing job in a dual role.

Hallmark movies are formulaic, they are very tame heterosexual love stories and every film is pretty much the same but with different settings and actors, that's why hallmark has such a big following but when you bring in all the woke stuff it's not hallmark anymore, i can watch absolutely any other tv series or Holywood film and everybody is represented and you're made to be ok with whatever people want to do/be, that's how society is now but hallmark was different, this is the beginning of the end for them if they continue in this direction. Such a shame.

Great film with great scenery in a beautiful country

Even if you didn't care for the storyline, this movie had one of the best Hallmark kisses ever at the end. I think Jessica was lip-locked for at least two minutes!! Great scene.